The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup continues on Saturday with a big double header getting underway at 4.00pm. The 2nd game of the double header sees an absolute blockbuster between England and South African from 7.30pm. We have you covered for the headline clash with a full preview and betting tips below.
England vs South Africa Betting Tips
Wankhede Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm (AEDT)
England
The Poms have looked incredibly shaky, especially with ball in hand, to start the World Cup. They have a 1-2 record through their three opening games and were shocked by Afghanistan in their last game, losing by 69 runs to put their chances of defending their World Cup title in jeopardy.
They now have a gauntlet schedule over the next four games, facing South Africa, Sri Lanka, India and Australia and will likely need to win at least three of them to keep their semi final qualification chances alive.
The big story for England heading into this game is the return of star all-rounder Ben Stokes. The Test skipper was the hero of the victorious England campaign at the last World Cup and could provide the spark the Poms need to turn their fortunes.
It’ll be interesting to see who England leave out for Stokes. Jonny Bairstow has struggled at the top of the order through the opening three games as has Liam Livingstone at No.6, however, Livingstone offers valuable production with the ball.
Predicted England XI: Harry Brook, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Liam Livingtone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley
South Africa
The South Africans looked like one of the stronger sides in the competition through their opening two games, both wins against Sri Lanka and Australia. In their third games, however, they suffered a shock defeat at the hands of the Netherlands as their star studded batting line-up failed to deliver.
I don't think there will be panic stations just yet in the South African camp. They probably have the most settled line-up of any team at the World Cup this year, with likely only one change to their seam/spin bowling contingent to occur from game to game.
The top six for the South Africans in Bavuma, de Kock, van der Dussen, Markram, Klaasen and Miller is arguably the most dynamic batting line-up in the world at the moment, while their pace bowling stocks even without speed demon Anrich Nortje available through injury.
South Africa Predicted XI: Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Betting Tips
Really tough match to call here, arguably the toughest since the opening game of the tournament between England and New Zealand. The Poms are desperate for a bounce back win to get their tournament back on track and that desperation, combined with the massive inclusion of Ben Stokes, has me leaning slightly towards them here.
The two teams squared off in a three match ODI series in SA back in January of this year, where South Africa claimed a 2-1 win, however, the Poms won the third and final game of that series on the back of brilliant dual centuries from Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler. Back England to get the job done here.
